Frederick Memorial Hospital's Chronic Care Management Program Reduces Readmissions by 89% with HRS

FREDERICK, Md., Jan. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A telehealth pilot program at Frederick Memorial Hospital (FMH) has reduced hospital readmissions by 89% and reduced emergency department (ED) visits by 49% for the enrolled patients. The pilot project is called the Chronic Care Management Program (CCMP) and is a collaboration with the telehealth company, Health Recovery Solutions (HRS). Due to the sharp decline in ED visits and hospital readmissions for patients placed on CCMP, FMH decreased the average cost of care for these patients by 52%.

In October 2016, FMH created the Chronic Care Management Program (CCMP) pilot to monitor high risk chronic disease patients who may not qualify for home health, have been discharged from home health, or have refused home health. FMH completely funds CCMP, allowing eligible patients to receive this innovative telemonitoring care free of charge. FMH recognized that patients with chronic conditions can benefit from telehealth beyond traditional home health services and aimed to use the CCMP pilot project to explore how technology can ensure that more patients with chronic conditions can meet their goals.

Patients placed on the Chronic Care Management Program (CCMP) are provided with 4G tablets loaded with the HRS software. The software gives clinicians the ability to monitor patient vitals through Bluetooth biometric devices, respond to risk alerts when patients are at risk for readmission, and conduct nursing visits through video, phone, and text chat all in real time. CCMP focuses on using video visits to monitor patients and follow their progress. The HRS software also allows clinicians to customize educational content, which has been particularly useful in helping CCMP patients build independence with managing their conditions.

Patients are enrolled in CCMP for an average of 94 days and have a range of chronic diseases, including CHF, COPD, diabetes, and hypertension. FMH uses CCMP to track potential risk factors that will result in disease exacerbations and/or hospital readmissions. CCMP has also allowed clinicians to identify high risk patients who should be re-enrolled to home health and thus acts as a referral source for home health agencies. Additionally, CCMP facilitates patient independence by ensuring that patients are comfortable managing their own conditions prior to living without remote care.

Lisa Hogan, Chronic Care Management Team Leader at FMH, has used CCMP to both enhance care and build relationships with her patients. "Much of CCMP's success is due to the personal relationships we build with our patients as well as the great technology with the telemonitors," states Lisa. "We call each patient at least weekly and involve them in setting goals for themselves. It is wonderful to see the growth and independence develop as we come alongside them."

Nolan Santosa, Director of Client Success at HRS, adds, "HRS is thrilled to participate in this fantastic program with FMH. Their dedicated staff have built a truly progressive telemonitoring care model. The success of CCMP demonstrates the great potential of telehealth to advance healthcare."

To learn more about Frederick Memorial Hospital and the Chronic Care Management Program, contact Melissa Lambdin at (240) 566-3323.

To learn more about Health Recovery Solutions, visit http://www.healthrecoverysolutions.com or call (347) 699 - 6477.

SOURCE Frederick Memorial Hospital